Refrigerator car



Sept. 16, 1941. c, D, BONSALL REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed Jan. 13, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 merfi. Balm/l Sept. 16, 1941. c. D. BONSALL REFRIGERATOR CAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13', 1.940

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inventor (/zalesfl. 1305a ZZ 1 N mwfi HT IEMI xIxIELI xIIIIxIEWE Patented Sept. 16, 1941 STATES P REFRIGERATOR CAL-R Sharles D Bonsall, Chicago. 111., assignor to Standard-Railway Devices Company, a corporation of Delaware 16 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars: used to transport perishable commodities at a predetermined temperature. The essential. features of a refrigerator car are an insulated body to prevent or retard ingress of heat during warm weather and egress of heat during cold weather anda cooling means and aheating means to be used during warm and cold weather respectively.

This invention applies particularly to cars in which the cooling means, preferably containers for water ice, eutectic ice, brine or dry ice, are disposed immediately below the roof of the car. The lading is supported in spaced relation to the floor by a foraminous rack. Flues, preferably associated with the side walls of the car, com municate between the cooling means and the space under the floor rack to provide a. path for the circulation of air. The path is from the cooling means downwardly through the aforementioned flues, through the space under the floor rack, upwardly through the lading compartment thereby cooling the lading, and finally to the cooling means from where the cycle is repeated.

One of the main problems involved in the design of a car of this type is to support'the large mass of refrigerant which is concentrated near the roof. Railway cars are subjected to severe service conditions and have induced therein weaving of considerable magnitude. This weaving tends to loosen all joints and consequently weakens them.

It is an object of my invention to provide' a relatively rigid framework near the roof of the car to retard the weaving thereof and tosupport the refrigerant containers in such a way that the weaving stresses are resisted by the framework and are not transferred to the refrigerant containers. Refrigerant containers'would' be very susceptible to leaks and corrosion if forced to weave as the car weaves.

Another object of the invention is to utilize a part of the above mentioned framework to form a duct which conducts circulating air from the lading compartment to the refrigerant containers.

A further object is to provide means to catch any moisture which might condense from the relatively warm circulating air upon the framework, which framework is likely to be relatively cold in certain parts thereof, due to its'proximity tothe cold refrigerant.

Another object of the invention is todesign the. frameworkin such a way that liquidoverflowing from the tanks or condensing. thereon is retarded from splashing into the ladi-ng 'compartment.

Another object isto provide a metallic lining on the upper surface of the drip pain and to provide a relatively simple means to retainsaid lining in its intended positionon the drip pan. A further object is to utilize said retaining m'ea'ns to prevent the splashing of liquid from the drip pan-into the ladi-ng compartment of the car.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description by referring to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partial transverse section of a refrigerator car embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 showing a modified formof supports for the container.

Fig- 3 is a longitudinal section of the upper part of the car shown in: Fig. Iv as indicated by the line 33* of Fig.- 1.

'Fig. 4 is a plan view through the refrigerant containers of'Fig. 1 as indicated: by the line 4 -4 of Fig; 1.

The general parts of the refrigerator car shown are insulated roo'f'2; sidewall'i; floor 4.; hatch 5 refrigerant container 6; side wall. flue i; for'aminous fl'oor'rack 8 and space?! between. rack" B and floor 4. A refrigerant container 6 is positioned directly below the roof 2 and adjacent the. side 13.11 3. A drip-pan i Z'isprovided below the container 6 and a. partition Hi is provided. in an upstandingp'osition at: the edge of the drip pan I2. The drip pan I 2and partition i4: cooperate with the roof 2'and side wall 3'to form an enclosing structure H around the container 6, an air inlet opening it? being provided by spacing the partition M from the roof 2. An air discharge opening I! which leads to the flue l is'formed by spa'cing the drip pan i'zffrom the wall 3; Cars of this. type commonly have a row ofrefrigerant containers 6 near each side wall 3 and spaced,

apartatthe center of the car. The partitions .M are also spaced apart to form a' ducti-G which communicates between the lading compartment I8 an'd openings i5.

Air circulation is as follows: Air in the leading compartment i8 is warmed by contact with the lading and rises through the duct It to enter the enclosing structures ll through the air inlet openings I51 The air, some of which flows through the passage Iii between the container 6 and drippan I2, is cooled by contact;v with the refrigerant containers 6- and falls by reason of its greater density through the discharge openings I1 and flues I to the space 9 whence it rises through the rack 8 to the lading compartment I8, from where the cycle just described is repeated.

The side wall construction of the car shown in Fig. 1 comprises inner (25) and outer (26) side plates; inner (28) and outer (29) sills; outer posts 3i extending between the outer plate 25 and outer sill 29 and inner posts 32 extending between and secured to the inner plate 25 and sill 28. Flue sheets 34 are secured to the inner plate 25, inner sill 28 and inner posts 32, and have formed therein panels 35 projecting away from the interior of the car to provide the side wall flues I between the panels 36 and the lining 31.

Spaced apart carlines 49 extend between and are secured to the inner side posts 32, preferably by the angle shape brackets 4| shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The carlines 49 may be of any shape, but in the form shown are I-bcams preferably formed of flat plates welded together. Purlins 44, (which form the partitions I4) preferably consisting of channel members with their webs 48 disposed vertically, extend between and are secured to the carlines 49 preferably by the flanges 4! and rivets 48 at the ends of the purlins 44. The framework formed by the carlines 49 and purlins 44 provides a relatively rigid structure which tends to resist weaving of the car. The purlins 44 have flanges 49-50 formed thereon to provide strength against buckling and the upper flange 49, which projects towards the refrigerator container 5, is intended to retard splashing of liquid from the container 6 or drip pan I2 into the duct I6 and consequently into the lading compartment I8.

Angle shape brackets 56 having horizontal upper legs 51 and vertical legs 58 are secured to the carlines 49, preferably by welding, and project laterally therefrom. Tank sup-porting members 59, which in the form shown in Fig. 1, are angles 69, are secured to the side walls 62 of the refrigerant container 6 and extend substantially between the carlines 49. The ends 63 of the supporting members 59 rest upon the brackets 58 and are secured thereto by any readily removable means. Bolts 65, such as those shown in the drawings, are suitable for this purpose and may be easily adjusted for slight variations in dimensions of the car during assembly.

There is preferably a drip pan I2 provided below each refrigerant container 6, which drip pan I2 is preferably formed of an insulating material 19, such as Wood, and a metallic lining I2 upon the upper surface of the insulating material 'IIl. The drip pans I2 are preferably hinged (13) to the side wall lining 31 and supported near the center of the car by the bolts I depending from the brackets 16, which brackets extend between and are secured to the purlins 44. As shown in Fig. 3, the metallic lining 12 of the drip pan is flanged (l8) upwardly at the edges thereof adjacent the abutting drip pan I2. An inverted channel-shape flashing 80 is disposed preferably below each carline 40 with the web 82 thereof preferably secured to the carline 49. Outwardly projecting reflanges 83 are provided on the flanges 84 of flashing 89, which reflanges 83 rest upon and exert a substantial pressure against the drip pan lining I2 when the drip pan is in the position shown in the drawings, thereby holding the lining I2 in its intended position on the wooden portion I9 of the drip pan I2. The flashing 89 forms a span between adjacent drip pans I2, thereby preventing liquid retained upon the drip pans I2 from splashing through the opening 86 between the drip pans I2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the drip pan I2 extends beyond the purlin 44 a substantial distance so that any moisture which condenses from the circulating air upon the purlin 44 will drip onto the extended portion 99 of the drip pan I2 and thereafter flow over the drip pan I2 into the side wall flue I. The drip pan lining I2 preferably has an upstanding flange 9I at the edge of the extended portion 99.

It is often desirable to provide apertures 93 for overflow of liquid in one of the walls of the refrigerant container 6, preferably a wall 94 nearest the center of the car. Liquid which overflows through the apertures 93 presents a serious hazard, due to the danger of the liquid splashing from the drip pan I2 into the duct I6 and dripping onto the lading. As shown in Fig. 2, I provide Z-shape container supporting members 95 with one of the legs 96 thereof disposed in spaced relation to the part 91 of the container 6 having the apertures 93 therein. This depending leg 95 deflects any liquid splashing through the apertures 93 downwardly upon the drip pan I2, from where it can not splash into the lading compartment I8.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a purline extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, said purline and carlines cooperating to form a framework to retard weaving of the car, a refrigerant container disposed between said purline and one of said walls and between said carlines, means providing a detachable support for said container comprising a member secured thereto and extending between said carlines, said member having a depending leg spaced from a side wall of said container and means associated with said carlines to support said member, a drip pan below said container extending between said purline and said last mentioned car wall and an aperture in said container opposite said leg whereby liquid splashing from said container through said aperture is directed by said leg to said drip pan.

2. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a purline extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, said purline and carlines cooperating to form a framework to retard weaving of the car, a refrigerant container disposed between said purline and one of said walls and between said carlines, means provid ing a detachable support for said container comprising a member secured thereto and extending between said carlines, means associated with said carlines to support said member and a drip pan below said container extending between said purline and said last mentioned car wall, said drip pan having a. portion which extends beyond said purl-ine to catch moisturedripping therefrom.

3. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a substantially vertical parti tion disposed in spaced relation to said walls, a refrigerant container disposed between said partition and one, of said walls; means providing a support for said container'and' a drip pan below said container extending between said partition and said last mentioned car wall, said drip pan having a portion which extends beyond said partition to catch moisture dripping'therefrom.

4. In a, refrigerator car having spaced. apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines. extending between and secured to said walls, a substantially vertical partition extending between said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, a refrigerant container disposed between saidpar tition andone of said walls, meansprovi'ding a support for said container, a drip pan below said container extending between said partition and said last mentioned car wall, a metallic lining on the upper surface ef said drip pan and a flashing depending from one of said carlines arranged to press said lining against said drip pan.

5. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a substantially vertical partition extending between said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, a refrigerant container disposed between said partition and one of said walls, means providing a support for said container, a drip pan below said container extending between said partition and said last mentioned car wall and a flashing depending from one of said carlines arranged to prevent liquid splashing over an edge of said drip pan.

6. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls near said roof, a pair of spaced apart purlines extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, said carlines and purlines cooperating to form a framework to retard weaving of the car and refrigerant containers remcvably supported in the spaces defined by said carlines, said purlines and said car walls, drip pans below said containers extending between said walls and the adjacent purlines to form enclosing structures for said containers, said purlines defining a duct for flow of airto said enclosing structures.

'7. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a pair of spaced apart purlins extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to said walls, said carlines and purlins being arranged to form a frame-work to retard weaving of the car, refrigerant containers disposed in the spaces defined by said carlines, said purlins and said walls, and means to support said containers comprising brackets secured to said carlines and members secured to said containers and projecting beyond the ends thereof, said brackets arranged to support said members, drip pans disposed below said containers and arranged to extend between the walls and the adjacent purlins thereby forming enclosing struc tures for said containers, said purlins forming a duct for flow of air to said enclosing structures.

8. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls andia roof, spaced apart carlines" extending between and secured to said walls, a purlin extending between and secured to: said carlines in spaced relation to one ofsaid walls, said car.- lines'and sa-id purlin arranged to form a" framework to retard weaving of the'car, a refrigerant container disposed in the space defined by said carlines,, said purlin and said last mentioned wall, means; to support said containers comprising brackets secured to said carlines and members secured to said. container extending the full length and" projecting beyond the ends thereof, said members being supported by sai'd'brackets, said purlins forming a part of an, enclosing struc tureforsaid' container, and means cooperating with said purlin to form a duct. for how of air to said enclosing structure.

9. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced'apartcarlines extending between and secured to said walls; a purlin extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to one of saidwalls, saidcar lines and said purlin arranged to form a framework' to retard weaving of the car; a refrigerant container removably supported in the space defined by said carlines, said purlin and said last mentioned wall, said purlin forming-a part of an enclosing structure-for said container, and means cooperatingwith said purlin to form ad'uct for flowof air-to said enclosing structure.

10. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a purlin extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to one of said walls, said carlines and said purlin arranged to form a framework to retard weaving of the car, a refrigerant container removably supported in the space defined by said carlines, said purlin and said last mentioned wall, a drip pan below said container arranged to cooperate with said roof, purlin and last mentioned wall to form an enclosing structure for said container, and means cooperating with said purlin to form a duct for flow of air to said enclosing structure.

11. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a purlin extending between and secured to said carlines in spaced relation to one of said walls, said carlines and said purlin arranged to form a framework to retard weaving of the car, a refrigerant container removably supported in the space defined by said carlines, said purlin and said last mentioned wall, means to support said containers comprising brackets secured to said carlines and members secured to said container and projecting beyond the ends thereof, said members being supported by said brackets, said purlin forming a part of an enclosing structure for said container, and means cooperating with said purlin to form a duct for flow of air to said enclosing structure.

12. In combination with a refrigerator car, a refrigerant container, a drip pan below said container, a Z-shape member having an upwardly extending leg secured to said container and a depending leg disposed in spaced relation to a wall of the container, and an aperture in said wall opposite said depending leg, whereby liquid passing through said aperture is deflected by said depending leg to said drip pan.

13. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a

refrigerant container between said carlines, a drip pan below said container, a supporting member extending between and supported by said carlines, said supporting member comprising a Z-bar having an upwardly projecting leg secured to a wall of said container and a downwardly projecting leg spaced from said wall, and an aperture in said wall opposite said leg, whereby liquid passing through said aperture is deflected by said downwardly projecting leg to said drip pan.

14. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart carlines extending between and secured to said walls, a refrigerant container between said carlines, a drip pan below said container, a supporting member extending between and supported by said carlines, said supporting member being secured to said container and having a leg spaced from a wall of the container, and an aperture in said wall opposite said leg, whereby liquid passing through said aperture is deflected by said leg to said drip pan.

15. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart refrigerant containers below the roof, a carline extending between said containers in spaced relation thereto and secured at its opposite ends to said walls, means associated with said carline for supporting said containers, drip pans spaced below said containers and having upstanding flanges on their adjacent margins, means arranged to direct a flow of air between said containers and said drip pans and between said containers and said carline for the purpose of refrigerating said air, an inverted channel member having depending flanges secured to said carline in spaced relation to said containers, said channel member arranged to overlie the drip pan flanges.

16. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a pair of spaced apart refrigerant containers below the roof, a carline extending between said containers in spaced relation thereto and secured at its opposite ends to said walls, means associated with said carline for supporting said containers, drip pans spaced below said containers and having upstanding flanges on their adjacent margins, means arranged to direct a flow of air between said containers and said drip pans and between said containers and said carline for the purpose of refrigerating said air, an inverted channel member having depending flanges secured to said carline in spaced relation to said containers, said channel member arranged to overlie the drip pan flanges with the flanges of the inverted channel member in contact with the drip pans.

CHARLES D. BONSALL. 

